Broken: I am so sorry you are here, but I’m glad you found us. You are going to get a lot of helpful, wise advice from people who have been through this crap, so listen to what they say. Take what advice works for you and leave the rest. Only you know what’s best for you, for only you know ALL the details. There is no way you could possibly post them all here. Tell us what you can so we can give you better tuned input.
My wife cheated on my in our 12th month together, before our 1st anniversary. I know how you feel, and my heart goes out to you. After my WW was caught the first time, 12 months later she was out with another man. After being caught the second time, 12 months later she was with the first AP, again. I didn’t learn about the A’s starting back up for the 3rd time until 25 years later. In that time, she had PA’s with at least 8 men and EA’s with at least another 6, and picked up an STD. She and AP1 were on and off for 29 of our 30 year M. Am I saying your WW is going to do the same thing? No, but she certainly is starting down that same path. Don’t follow me. The pain is too great – you don’t want it. Am I saying you should D your WW? Only you know if that’s the right thing to do.
So what am I saying? You need time to process this new information and all the feelings. Do NOT get caught up in R – it is too soon for you to determine if you want to stay with this woman. It takes 2 functioning adults for a marriage to work, and right now your wife is not functioning. Yes, continue IC. She will need more attention and for a longer period of time than what you will need. You both require healing and help adjusting to the new “reality”. Additionally, she will need to figure out “why” she gave herself permission to cross that marriage boundary.
DO tell the OBS. He made the conscious decision to cheat on his wife. It will be he who destroyed that relationship, IF that happens. NONE of this is your fault – NONE! Exposure is great at destroying Affairs. Part of the lure of an A is the secrecy, and once that is destroyed the A no longer has the draw it once did.
DO require she find another job. If she is still working at the same company as he, you can bet all your donuts they are still in contact using the company’s media, a place you have no access and their conversations can continue IN SECRET.
DO contact a lawyer if for no other reason than to learn your rights should you S or D. Plus, if she finds out you went to an attorney, that might shake her up a little bit. There is no need to advertise that you’re going or that you have been.
DO require she voluntarily provide you unlimited access to all her media, email accounts, social accounts, everything. She needs to divulge all her passwords and ID’s, and even reveal any secret accounts she may have established.
DO get checked for STD’s. I will bet you 2 large meat lover’s pizzas this is not his first A, and who knows what he’s carrying or whom he’s been with. And, of course, if you ask him about any prior affairs he’ll tell you the truth! RIGHT!! She needs to get tested, as well. NO SEX until she provides you a clean bill of health.
DO NOT waste you money on MC right now. It is too soon for either of you, much less both at this time.
DO have her write a complete and detailed timeline. This is just as much for her as it is for you. If she wants you to forgive her, you need to know what you are forgiving her for. For her, it is an opportunity to divulge what she has been doing and expose this secret life she has been living.
There is much more for you to do, even this early in. If you will focus on the advice and follow it, it will help you through this really rough time. I am so sorry for you. We all want the best for you, whether R, S, or D. We want you to be healthy and happy, and we’ll help you as much as we can. Post often, even if it’s just to vent.
And remember that here, you are not alone.